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JOB DESCRIPTION

Independent Mental Health Advocate – Forensic Services
25hrs per week
Home Based
Service Manager
£ 25, 545 (FTE unqualified)
£ 26, 200 (FTE qualified)

Permanent Contract subject to a six-month probationary period and an
annual performance review.
You will be required to complete the National Advocacy Qualification
after your probationary period is complete and within 12 months of
commencing employment.
Appointment subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS) enhanced with barred list check. Two satisfactory references and
evidence must be provided of a right to work in the United Kingdom.

About the job.
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our Forensic Advocacy service. We offer flexible
working hours Monday to Friday. There is no shift work, and we do not work evenings or weekends.
Please note, this role does not involve supporting people with their personal care. The role is to
deliver Independent Mental Health Advocacy to people detained under the Mental Health Act in
forensic services. The role will be split between our services in Wakefield and Doncaster.

Advocacy is "Taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent
their interests and obtain services they need' (NDTi).

The IMHA role in forensic settings involves.

•  Providing in-person advocacy to people detained under the Mental health Act

•  To support individuals to speak for themselves, or to represent them where they are unable to

speak for themselves and to uphold their rights

Forensic settings are the intersection of mental health provision and the criminal justice system,
focusing on assessment, treatment, and risk management for people with mental health conditions
who have offended or are at risk of offending.

This role will include working with people of all ages. You will be working with people with learning
disabilities, autistic people, people with mental health needs, people with physical and sensory

impairment, people with an acquired brain injury and those with dementia.

The main tasks for this role are.

•  Providing confidential one-to-one advocacy to people who need support to have

their voices heard within mental health and social care systems.

•  Effectively manage an individual caseload, prioritising work to meet the needs of people

you are supporting

•  Ensure that people accessing the service are supported to self-advocate whenever

possible.

•  Liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with a range of mental health and social

care professionals

•  Maintain accurate case notes in line with data protection legislation
•  Actively seek feedback from people you have supported and others to support personal

and service development

•  Signpost people to other services where Cloverleaf is unable to provide support.
•  Actively participate in support and supervision sessions and team meetings
•  Take responsibility for your own learning and development, keeping up to date with

changes in advocacy practice and legislation.

•  Work in line with Cloverleaf policies and procedures

All staff have a responsibility for the effective running of Cloverleaf Advocacy. As such new
tasks and duties may develop in the light of experience. These may be allocated where
reasonable, after discussion with the postholder.

About you:

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting people to speak up and be
heard. When completing your application form, please make sure you address all the points
below in your personal statement. If you don't, we will assume you don't meet the criteria
and it's unlikely we will invite you for an interview.

You will.

•  Understand the principles and role of advocacy
•  Have experience of working in the voluntary sector, health or social care, preferably

with people with mental health needs.

•  Demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills -verbally and in writing
•  Have good IT skills and be proficient using Microsoft Office 365.
•  Be able to develop and continually improve service delivery
•  Be able to keep accurate and accessible records
•  Be able to reflect on and learn from experience
•  Be able to use supervision and peer support effectively

•  Be able to manage and prioritise a complex and varied workload
•  Be able to identify and report on safeguarding issues
•  To be self-motivated and be able to work under own initiative
•  Have a flexible and positive approach
•  Work ethically and honestly
•  Be able to take personal responsibility for your own performance and decisions

Additional requirements.

•  Our advocates need to travel independently of public transport. You will need to have a
full driving license and access to a vehicle that you can use for work purposes during
your hours of work.

•  Applicants must live in either Wakefield, Doncaster or between these two areas.

Travel expenses will only be paid within the contract working area.

•  Due to the independent nature of advocacy, you must not be employed by any

other health or social care organisation at the time of appointment.